Success Story Interview - Z. T. Fairfax

An Interview with Z. T. Fairfax (ZTFairfax on QT) upon receiving an offer of representation from agent Amy Stern of Sheldon Fogelman Agency.

04/08/2025

QT: Can you tell us a little bit about the book for which you've found representation? What inspired you to write it?

Z. T. Fairfax:
THE HUGGLEBEEZ is a YA Speculative Horror novel that uses childlike puppets (Sesame Street/Muppets) to tell the story of a teen girl struggling with grief. It stems from a personal fear of death and drive to succeed.

QT: How long have you been writing?

Z. T. Fairfax:
My passion for writing developed in middle school after reading Roald Dahl's The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. However, I didn't finish a short story until after high school (2015), and I didn't start writing my first novel until late 2023.

QT: How long have you been working on this book?

Z. T. Fairfax:
This was my fastest novel, from ideation to final draft. I started writing it in November and finished the first draft in sixteen days, then edited and revised and sent my "final draft" into the trenches on January 15, 2025.

QT: Was there ever a time you felt like giving up, and what helped you to stay on course?

Z. T. Fairfax:
Absolutely! Especially while querying my first two novels. There were several moments where I fell into the trap of believing I wasn't good enough or that I would never beat the odds, but what kept me on track was realizing that my only other option was giving up, which isn't really an option at all if you love the craft.

QT: Is this your first book?

Z. T. Fairfax:
Nope. THE HUGGLEBEEZ is the third novel I've queried, but it's honestly the only one that I feel was ready to be queried.

QT: Do you have any formal writing training?

Z. T. Fairfax:
I took a couple of basic writing classes in college but no formal creative writing training. Most of what I've learned, from plot to character development to proper grammar, has been self-taught through craft books (Of which I own far too many).

QT: Do you follow a writing routine or schedule?

Z. T. Fairfax:
I don't. I used to when I started noveling, but now my writing is a bit more sporadic. That said, I do have a writing group that meets on Sundays for a weekly sprint, and that's the closest I've come toa routine since my first novel.

QT: How many times did you re-write/edit your book?

Z. T. Fairfax:
So far, THE HUGGLEBEEZ has undergone four major revisions: three before/while querying and one since signing with my agent.

QT: Did you have beta readers for your book?

Z. T. Fairfax:
Yes! I think beta readers are crucial to finding success in the industry. While writers are their own worst critics, it can also be hard to see the flaws in your writing. I think I had far too many beta readers; you never want too many cooks in the kitchen, but I got lucky that the conflicting feedback was minimal.

QT: Did you outline your book, or do you write from the hip?

Z. T. Fairfax:
I learned very early on that I am a hardcore plotter. I have to have an extensive, fully fleshed-out outline before I can start on the first chapter. The outline is malleable and changes quite frequently, but I have to have that roadmap before starting my journey.

QT: About how many query letters did you send out for this book?

Z. T. Fairfax:
I sent 99 queries for THE HUGGLEBEEZ.

QT: On what criteria did you select the agents you queried?

Z. T. Fairfax:
They made my list if the agent was looking for YA horror, especially of the speculative variety. I used social media extensively in my search for an agent, which ultimately led me to the one I signed with. I also met several agents through pitch events

QT: Did you tailor each query to the specific agent, and if so, how?

Z. T. Fairfax:
I had a small section at the front of my query letter, no longer than a sentence, that highlighted parts of the agent's MSWL that I thought fit my story. I ultimately don’t think it made a difference.

QT: What advice would you give other writers seeking agents?

Z. T. Fairfax:
Be bold. Be assertive. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Agents are human, contrary to popular belief, and they have the same fears and anxieties as writers. Treat them with respect while putting yourself out there.

Query Letter:

Dear [AGENT],
I am delighted to share my YA Speculative Horror, THE HUGGLEBEEZ, based on your interest in [PERSONALIZE]. This 66,000-word story, features the surreal and slightly grotesque themes of HOUSE OF HOLLOW by Krystal Sutherland. As well as the dark and subversive tones of DON'T LET THE FOREST IN by C.G Drews.

Sixteen-year-old Michelle Alvarez is a few shoots away from wrapping up her starring role in the inaugural season of The Hugglebeez, a modern spiritual successor to puppet-centric TV shows of the 1970s. But when she wakes in a very real Huggsburg with the blood of one of its most beloved citizens on her hands, Michelle’s technicolor nightmare becomes a reality.

The show's colorful cast—puppets made of felt, foam, and pungent craft glue—are as alive and friendly as ever. That is until they realize that one of their friends is missing, and someone in Huggsburg is to blame. While they’re used to answering elementary questions about plants and recycling, their way of life is challenged when faced with more adult moral dilemmas: How do you find a missing person, and what do you do to the person who killed them?

Michelle races to cover up the murder before the stitches holding Huggsburg together come undone. Facing monsters made of ink and memory, a communist investigator, and a glue-like hallucinogenic, Michelle teams up with a seven-foot-tall pink bird to end the carnage and find a way home. As the bodies start to pile and the puppets question their existence, Michelle must face secrets buried in her past under guilt and resentment or risk being held hostage in Huggsburg forever.

[BIO]

THE HUGGLEBEEZ is a standalone novel with series and crossover potential that appeals to fandom culture (Five Nights at Freddy's, The Amazing Digital Circus, Don't Hug Me I'm Scared). I would be delighted to send you the full manuscript immediately upon request. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best,
Z. T. Fairfax